Jeff Fiorentino thought someone was playing a joke on him when he was told last May that he was heading up to the Orioles from Single-A Frederick.
Fiorentino never believed he would get called up to the majors in his first full season of professional baseball. But, there was no joke, and on May 12, 2005, Fiorentino became the first position player from the 2004 draft to make his major league debut.
“It was awesome being up there,” Fiorentino said. “It gave me a real taste of what it?s like to be a major leaguer.”
Making the most of his opportunity, Fiorentino batted .250 with a homer, five RBI and seven runs in 13 games. He then got optioned back to Frederick where he remained before advancing to Double-A Bowie this year.
Those within the Orioles? organization believe Fiorentino has the skills to eventually be an everyday major league outfielder. However, he has struggled at the plate so far at Bowie as he is currently batting .207.
Bowie manager Don Werner said it?s important to look beyond Fiorentino?s batting average when assessing his progress. He added that Fiorentino is playing great defense, is getting on base and scoring runs.
“I?m doing a lot of things to get on base, but I?m still only getting one hit a game,” Fiorentino said.
An example of this came June 11 when Fiorentino scored twice and had a three-run home run and a stolen base against Binghamton. Two days before that against the same team, he went 1-for-4 with a double, two runs, a walk and a stolen base.
“He?s been a little off-balance with his swing,” Werner said. “He?s a hard worker with a great arm, and other than his average, he?s doing all of the things he needs to do to succeed.”
Orioles Director of Player Development David Stockstill said Fiorentino will turn things around offensively.
“Jeff?s defense is outstanding and he runs well, but his bat has been slow coming around this year,” he said. “I think he will be fine in the end.”
THE FIORENTINO FILE
Hometown: Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Age: 23
Position: Outfield
Drafted: Third round in 2004
Did you know? Fiorentino has not played since injuring his hamstring June 13 … He went 2-for-2 in his first major league game after coming in for an injured Larry Bigbie at Chicago ? He went 3-for-5 with a double in his first major league start May 14, 2005 at Chicago ? He batted .347 with 12 home runs and 33 RBI in 32 games for Frederick last August and was named Carolina League Player of the Month ? He entered the season listed as the Orioles? 11th-best prospect by Baseball America.
